India’s second largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor India Ltd. announced the start of its third shift of operations at its new plant at Sriperumbudur. The reason behind the move is due to a continuing high demand for the i10 in the domestic as well as the export market. The plant, which started operations in February this year, is dedicated largely to the production of the i10.
Since its launch in October 2007, sales of this popular compact car have reached 172,000 units in less than one year of its launch and, with the third shift in operation, the daily unit production has gone up from 800 to 1130, a 40% jump, to help meet demand.
Announcing this, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, Managing Director, Mr. H S Lheem, said, “The i10 has been breaking all grounds in terms of demand, within the country as well as in the export market. The introduction of the new shift will make us meet those demands and help us capture a bigger share of the market. This is a tremendously positive move and represents a great vote of confidence in the success of i10.”
With the introduction of the third shift, the work system will now follow an 8 hour shift followed by another 8 hour shift and then a 7 hour shift (8+8+7) pattern, instead of an 8+8 pattern that was previously being followed. Apart from meeting the exceptional demand for the i10, the introduction of the additional shift will create new jobs for 820 people.
